Green Party MLA Clare Bailey also paid tribute to Ms Lee, saying she was a "tireless and formidable activist who stood up for her fellow sex workers and fought hard to protect them from the dangers that this new law posed to them".

"Laura Lee gave powerful evidence to MLAs of the negative consequences of Lord Morrow's Bill on the criminalisation of prostitution, arguing that it would drive sex work underground and leave sex workers in more dangerous and precarious circumstances.

"She was an admirable advocate for human rights who refused to allow her voice to be silenced. I would send my deepest condolences to her family," the South Belfast MLA added.

Laura Lee was born in Dublin but moved to Scotland and lived in Glasgow.